Nico Hulkenberg has welcomed Sauber's new Russian investors, saying the team needed the money going forward.

Earlier this week Sauber announced three Russian companies would be joining as partners after it became clear the team had been struggling financially. Hulkenberg's future at Sauber beyond 2013 has been in doubt amid rumours of missed payments and the team missing performance targets, and asked what he thought of the new investors, Hulkenberg said: "It was positive news and it was needed."

He added: "With new investors and money you can push more and develop harder and stronger and the direction is forward. That's clear."

However, he said the financial concerns at Sauber had not affected him on track at recent races.

"I didn't have all the details. That was the management's situation. I knew that we didn't have a budget like the top teams but beyond that I was focusing on getting the best out of the package we have and get the most out of that."

Following the Rugby Football Union's announcement on Sunday that England Sevens coach Ben Ryan is set to relinquish his role, various past, present and future England internationals have taken to Twitter to praise him